Tuesday, April 24, 2007

When NFL player Pat Tillman gave up a $3 million NFL contract to enlist after 9/11 -- he was hailed as a genuine American hero. Now that his family is fed up with multiple -- conflicting -- stories on how he died in a friendly fire incident, critics of the family have referred to him as "worm dirt."

Wow. Back in Vietnam, jerks only spit on uniforms. Of living soldiers.

According to the Army officer who directed the first official inquiry, the Army might have more of a clue about the shooter's identity than it has let on. Asked whether ballistics work was done to identify who fired the fatal shots, Lt. Col. Ralph Kauzlarich told ESPN.com..."When you die, I mean, there is supposedly a better life, right? Well, if you are an atheist and you don't believe in anything, if you die, what is there to go to? Nothing. You are worm dirt." ESPN

Pat Tillman's brother Kevin enlisted with him. They served together in Afghanistan. And Kevin was in a convoy behind his brother's when Pat was killed. Kevin Tillman upset Republicans in the 2006 election campaign with an open letter on the occasion of his brother's birthday -- which happened to fall right before the 2006 election. In it, Kevin Tillman was critical of the Bush administration. He said in part:

Somehow America has become a country that projects everything that it is not and condemns everything that it is.

Luckily this country is still a democracy. People still have a voice. People still can take action. It can start after Pat’s birthday.

Critics may feel safe attacking Pat Tillman after his death. They should remember another Ranger in the Tillman family is still willing to fight.

About Me

Terry "Tex" Turner spent 7 years covering Washington for 100 client television stations across the United States.
Since then, he has been a webcasting & social media pioneer with a record of expanding audiences, market share, and audience loyalty.